“Vatican II and Catholic Ecumenical Engagement”

Alvernia’s commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Second Vatican Council will continue with a lecture by Dr. Catherine Clifford from the University of St. Paul, Ottawa. Dr. Clifford will present the Vatican II Series second lecture “Vatican II and Catholic Ecumenical Engagement,” addressing the impact of the council on dialogue among Christian churches. Dr. Clifford will speak to the idea that restoration of full, visible communion between the churches was one of the principal aims of the Second Vatican Council. Dr. Clifford is a professor of systematic and historical theology, and is the founding director of the Research Center on Vatican II and 21st Century Catholicism. Her scholarly work is centered on topics in ecclesiology and interchurch dialogue.

Future Events in this Series:

Next spring, a panel of those who entered adulthood in the years of the council and immediately following will present their stories about the council opening opportunities and a call for lay ministry in the church. Panel members will explain the impact of the changes this meant in each of their lives. On October 23, 2014 the series will continue with a presentation by Dr. Richard Gaillardetz of Boston College. Dr. Gaillardetz will speak about the theology of baptism, as shaped in the council.

The series continues in the spring of 2015 with Dr. Massimo Faggioli from the University of St. Thomas, who will address the issues of interpreting Gaudium et Spes, one of the council’s most important apostolic constitutions. Concluding in fall, 2015 the lecture series will feature a presentation by Dr. Angela Camara of Seton Hall University, who will explain a half-century of work based on the council’s declaration of religious liberty.

Location: Our residential campus is situated three miles
from center-city Reading, in the scenic Blue Mountain area of Eastern
Pennsylvania.

Enrollment: 3,000 students attend Alvernia including 1,500
traditional undergraduates, 600 continuing education students, and 780
graduate students. Over 77% of first-year students live on campus.

Faculty: Our professors are accomplished scholars, experts in their fields, and supportive mentors. The student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1. Most classes are 20 students or fewer.

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Conference of the Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation and
member of Eastern College Athletic Conference, 8 men’s and 10 women’s
intercollegiate sports.